Strathclyde University to host civil court reform conference

The Conference on the Civil Court Reforms in Scotland is being hosted by the University of Strathclyde and welcomes distinguished speakers from England as well as eminent figures from Scotland to talk about the reforms in detail.

The Rt. Hon Sir Ernest Ryder LJ, Lord Justice of Appeal and Sheriff Andrew Cubie, deputy director of the Judicial Institute, head up the list of speakers.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to discuss the conduct of different types of litigation in the future, with alternative seminars in family law, personal injury law, commercial law, and alternative forms of dispute resolution.

The key measures of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 come into force this September.

They include the establishment of a new sheriff appeal court and a national personal injury sheriff court in Edinburgh, the return of civil jury trials to sheriff courts, and the introduction of tighter time limits for judicial reviews.

Event organisers say the bill will see Scotland’s civil justice system “change beyond recognition”, making it “vital for all practitioners involved in any form of dispute resolution to be aware of the changes to come”.

Tickets are available for £150, including refreshments and buffet lunch, from Jennifer Harkins on 0141 548 4863 or jennifer.harkins@strath.ac.uk.